363 - 369 Perspectives

Article and Photo By: Erica Davis - COMS 369-L02

When my life started getting busy due to school and family crisis at home I looked to find an outlet that would allow me to de-stress my life. It turns out one of my close friends mom was a yoga instructor and she suggested to me that I try it. I ended up going to try hot yoga one day last spring and haven’t looked back since.

Let’s be honest, most university students are often up to their ears in homework or picking up shifts to make extra cash. Students let this vicious cycle of work overload and stress continue to the point where people forget to look after themselves. Taking care of yourself isn’t an easy task, but is one that should be important to all individuals. You only live once. So why wouldn’t you try to lead a healthy lifestyle by looking after yourself? Your mind and body are connected, in eating healthy foods you look after body. So why wouldn’t you want to feed your mind positive thoughts and energy? Hot yoga could be the answer.

Many of you are probably thinking, “this girl is crazy, yoga is only for girls”, or “yoga is just a fad”. You are wrong. Lululemon covers a lot of the excuses not to go to yoga, as advertised on one of their recent bags. Lululemon calls it, Great Excuses Not To Go To Yoga, they include: “Yoga is a fad”, “I’m not flexible”, “I don’t have enough time to sleep, let alone downward dog”, and many more. Also on the bag, are rebuttals to these excuses. Facts listed include, “People have practiced yoga since 300 BC, it’s not going anywhere” and “You know who’s flexible? People who do yoga”.

There really is no excuse to not to practice hot yoga. People have these stereotypes and misconceptions about yoga locked into their minds that yoga is boring just stretching. Hot yoga is a great compliment to any sport, and can be practiced by anyone. Since I’ve started practicing hot yoga, I’ve noticed some changes in my life. I’ve only been practicing for about seven months now, but I can already see progress in both my mind and body. By following these five reasons to start practicing hot yoga, you too will notice the positive changes in your life.

Reason One: Stress Reliever. Hot yoga is a calming and gives you the time to focus on just you and your movements on your mat. Pushing outside thoughts and distractions when you are in the hot room allow time for you. Breathing is a main focus of hot yoga. Focusing on the movements and breathing through each pose is vital to make it through a class. Some teachers say if you are holding your breath that you are not practicing yoga. The breathing is just as important as the pose. According to the Hot Yoga on 17th website, reduced stress levels attribute to better sleeps, and therefore stronger immune systems. Being a University student myself, we all know sleep is crucial to get through the week… and coffee! University is a stressful time for many (if not all) individuals. It is a time of high self-pressure to do well and to meet GPA expectations. Making time for yourself and self-reflection are necessary to lead a healthy lifestyle.

Reason Two: Flexibility. As I mentioned earlier, you do not have to be flexible to start practicing hot yoga. Trust me, being 5’10 with really long legs; yoga was hard in the beginning! The great thing about hot yoga is that we practice in a warm and humid room. Being in a warm environment allows for the muscles and body to move easier and allows for a deeper stretch. Many professional athletes use hot yoga as an outlet to work on their flexibility and to improve their performance in their sports. Michael Hue in his article “Strike a Pose”, he wrote about past Boston Bruins hockey goalie, Tim Thomas practicing yoga. Hue wrote, “Last summer Boston Bruins goalie Tim Thomas spent part of his off-season training, learning about the downward dog and warrior positions as well as the butterfly”. Thomas is just one of many professional athletes who participates in yoga. The more you practice hot yoga, the more your flexibility and stamina will improve. Flexibility will no longer become a chore, but something you look forward to.

Reason Three: Toning and Strengthening. Hot yoga is a great way to become more fit. Hot yoga is not just stretching. Not only does hot yoga work your cardiovascular system, but it also engages every muscle in the body. Postures including high and low plank really work your upper body strength. While poses such as ukatasana, awkward chair pose, engages your lower back and leg muscles. Holding postures and breathing through them allow for all the benefits to take place. In a hot room, practicing yoga tests your endurance and ability to stay strong - both mentally and physically. Yoga is one of the best ways to tone your body, and you may even shed some of those extra pounds you wanted to lose.

Reason Four: Prevention of Injuries. Many people turn to hot yoga as a compliment to other sports and to help prevent injuries. Hot yoga is great because it is a low impact activity that allows for strengthening and toning. When looking at other sports such as running, basketball, or even hockey, injuries are common. Don’t get me wrong, if you do not practice hot yoga poses correctly, or if you push yourself too far, injuries can happen. Practicing hot yoga properly can lessen the aches and pains you may have in your joints and muscles enhancing your overall quality of life.

Reason Five: Detoxification. I’m not talking about environmental pollution here; I am talking about internal toxins such as stress and anxiety. Negative thoughts and stress are harmful to our bodies. Sweating out toxins and drinking water throughout a hot yoga class helps cleanse and rejuvenate the body. After a hot yoga class you will feel refreshed and full of energy.

Hot yoga isn’t just a fad or a girls only activity, it is for everyone and is a great way to live a healthy lifestyle. By taking time out of your busy day for you, hot yoga will allow you to put your life on hold and have time for self-reflection. Society today is fast paced and people too often are caught up in the on-the-go lifestyle. When practiced the right way, hot yoga is full of positive benefits for both your mind and body. Stress reliever, increased flexibility, muscle toning, prevention of injuries and detoxification are the reasons why you should try hot yoga today.

On your way to your first yoga class, make sure have consumed a large glass of water and enjoyed a light snack. Mat and water bottle in hand, I know you will enjoy one of the many offerings that Hot Yoga on 17th or Hot Yoga on Crowfoot has to offer. Their instructors are friendly and outgoing, creating a fun environment at their studio. Best of all, they offer student pricing! Enjoy your first class, Namaste.

Useful Resources:

Lululemon. Retrieved from http://shop.lululemon.com/products/clothes-accessories/women-yoga-mats-and-props/10-Reasons-Not-To-Do-Yoga-Poster

Hot Yoga on 17th. Retrieved from http://hotyogaon17th.com/

"Strike a Pose", USA Hockey Magazine. Retrieved from http://www.usahockeymagazine.com/article/2008-04/strike-pose